Preliminary assessment of laser Doppler flowmetry for determining timing of division of the cross-finger flap.

The elapsed time before division of the cross-finger flap depends on adequate neovascularization from the recipient digit. Although subjective assessment of capillary filling in the flap after application of a tourniquet to the donor finger usually is accurate, on occasion, interpretation of observations may be equivocal. In these circumstances, noninvasive office measurement with use of the laser Doppler permits a sequential determination of relative flap perfusion. This objective data facilitates an appropriate clinical decision by the hand surgeon to ensure flap viability after pedicle division.